[Paddlewise] Fw: paddlefloat photo

Matt wrote:
>
> I saw the pictures and directions on your website of the paddle float
> rescue. Your technique for the untethered paddle paddlefloat rescue looked
> good. I think it is a valuable method to learn especially for a surf zone
> rescue where shore is nearby and you are not going to have to pump out
(and
> want to be able to disassemble the boat and paddle at a moments notice
> before the breaker hits too). However, I'd suggest you go out on a rough
day
> and do this rescue (in a safe place with onshore wind) before you promote
it
> as the "be all, end all" of paddle float rescues (but then don't even pump
> out the kayak in calm the pool afterwards--and dismiss that lack of
> finishing the rescue with the joke above).

>Have you made your foam float with a way to just grab it off
> the deck and roll up with when you capsize and fail to roll (so you won't
> have to exit the cockpit)? It seems if one is going to have to put up with
> the bulk anyway you should at least be able to use it to do a float roll
and
> save all that pumping time in compensation

> Everybody: Do you have a tether on your paddle float so it can't float or
> blow away if you drop it? Ken, do you depend on keeping yours secure under
> deck lines until it has been secured firmly on the paddle blade (rather
than
> use a tether) or do you use both?
>
> Matt Broze


I respond:  My particular boat (Eddyline Falcon) paddles well when it is
full of water due to the unusual cross sectional shape, and bow and stern
bouyancy.  I think that rough water paddling with water in the boat is
easier and safer than pumping.  I'd leave the pumping for a quieter moment.
People whose boats are less stable when full of water will definitely have
to give very serious consideration to the pumping question.  If I were
concerned, I would probably test a foot operated pump to see what I think.
Electric pumps are potentially excellent, but I wouldn't care to rely on one
too heavily, since it might not work.  The most recent issue of Sea Kayaker
shows an inspection port installed in a spray deck, which may have some
utility as a pump port.  I think I'll try the idea, and see what I think.
(By the way, Laser sailors buy a port of that type that comes with a ready
made bag, which makes the project simpler.  Dick Rose, of Winner's Ware, in
Seattle used to sell them.)  Though I joked about pumping in Paddlewise, I
did counsel people to give it serious consideration in the text of my web
site.

I have done float rolls by unsnapping the fastex buckle, pulling the float
from under the deck rigging, and rolling up.  I'm not sure that it is
terribly practical, since I would roll with the paddle first.  I'm sure that
by the time I gave up on the paddle, I wouldn't have sufficient air to
retrieve the float.  Besides, it is at least as easy to roll with the
paddle, and I already have that in my hands.

My plan is to leave the float secured to the boat until it is installed on
the paddle.  An option I want to experiment with for stowing the float after
the rescue is complete, is to slide the float to the middle of the paddle
shaft where it won't get lost, until I have an opportunity to stow it
properly on the rear deck, which is tricky to do on water.  It can be done,
but you couldn't call it easy.  I think that a workable plan for stowing the
float again after use is pretty important.  I'm still researching ideas for
that.  Matt's comments about tethers are well taken.  One needs a good
reason why the float won't get separated from the boat.  I'm not planning to
tether the float, at present, but I agree that it is important to address
the concern.

As usual, Matt's points are very good.  I don't absolutely agree, but I
appreciate the quality of the comments.


John Fereira wrote:
"That's a good sequence of pictures showing a paddlefloat rescues but I have
two comments.  In the 3rd and 2nd from the end pictures it shows the
paddler with his hand extended out onto the paddle shaft quite a
bit.  While that does keep the paddler in a stable position it is opening
up his shoulder to a point where if a large wave hit it could potentially
cause a shoulder dislocation. It probably isn't likely, but the photos show
a vulnerable position that probably should not go without comment."

"Secondly, where is his PFD?  I realize that it's a photo session in a pool
but  from my experience one of the difficult things people encounter when
doing a paddlefloat reentry is having their pfd hook onto decklines,
paddleshaft, cockpit combing, etc.  While a PFD really might not be
necessary for safety reasons in a pool, I think it is a very good idea to
practice rescue techniques using all the equipment that you would be using
when paddling."

I respond:  That is a good point about the shoulder.  The 3rd photo from the
end particularly shows it.  That position is a transitory one that isn't
held long or forcefully, but I agree that the potential for injury is
present.  The defence has to be timing and awareness.  The same hazard
exists in rolling, and even more so in bracing.  When I brace I usually let
my body hit the water to lessen the impact, rather than trying to prevent a
knockdown solely with the paddle.  Good point.

When I'm in the pool I dress for the pool.  When I'm in the Sound I dress
for the sound.  I habitually wear a dry suit and inflatable life vest when
paddling in cold water, regardless of the air temperature.  I can do all my
rescues dressed in dry suit and inflatable PFD.  The speed of my paddle
float rescue is unaffected by the extra gear.  I don't use an approved life
vest--at least to wear--because it louses up my reenter and roll rescue.  It
is much easier to reenter the boat without the bouyancy.  I've also had a
problem in my previous low volume boat, of having the boat float on its side
when capsized while wearing an approved PFD.  That is fine if the paddle is
set up to roll on that side.  However, if the paddle is aligned for rolling
on the other side, and I try to shift it to roll for the side I'm laying
towards, the boat switches sides due to the movement of the paddle through
the water, and I find myself again laying with my paddle on the new wrong
side.  It would be funny if it weren't so potentially serious.  That is why
I wear an inflatable, and carry an approved vest to show the Coast Guard, so
I can be safe first, and legal second.  I've never seen anyone wear a
drysuit in the pool.  I think the chlorine would shorten the life of the
suit--which is very expensive--and it would be prohibitively hot.  John:  Do
you always wear a drysuit in the pool?  Seriously though, I see nothing
wrong with practicing rescues without all the stuff, in warm water, as long
as one follows through by practicing in cold water, and rough cold water
also.

Ken Rasmussen
www.kayakfit.com
kayakfit_at_fidalgo.net





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